Good afternoon, welcome to the cato institute. I am the Vice President for legal affairs. Thethe Founding Member of Constitution Center founder of the Founding Member of the center for constitutional studies. Your host for this afternoons debate. I want to welcome also the people who are joining us through cspan and through catos live streaming. Were here to consider whether religious liberty can coexist alongside modern antidiscrimination law. Thats the question the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on tomorrow when it hears the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado civil rights commission. The case arose when Charlie Craig and David Mullins, a gay couple who walked into the Masterpiece Cakeshop in lakewood, colorado, owned and operated by Jack Phillips, a devout christian. As with all of his customers, phillip said no problem with phillips had no problem with selling the couple anything off the shelf, but he declined to make a custom made cake to celebrate the couples wedding
As with all of his customers, phillip said no problem with selling the couple anything off the shelf, but he declined to make a custom made cake to celebrate the couples wedding. Citing his religious convictions. He was willing to direct them to nearby bakeries and would design a cake as he had done with others. Unsatisfied, craig and mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission alleged that phillips had violated the colorado antidiscrimination act. Finding in their favor, the commission ordered phillips, among other things torques things to conduct comprehensive test training including Family Members who worked at the bakery. After supporters of craig and mullins picketed the bakery, phillips lost 40 of his business and most of his employees. He appealed the commissions decision, like courts around the country that have decided similar cases, with respect to florists, bakers, photographers, and others, colorados court of appeals upheld the commission and the Col
Not everyone is happy and the somali street kids groping up in one of the worlds most dangerous cities. Now, foreign dignitaries joined tens of thousands to remember the victims of the srebrenica massacre. The dignitaries laying flowers. Led by former president bill clinton and others at the commemoration ceremonies. The memorial includes the funeral of 136 newly identified victims. One of the speakers was serge bremich, the chief prosecutor for the i c. T. Y, the body set up to deal with war crimes. Genocide in srebrenica was a result of a deliberate plan designed at at highest leadership levels. These affects that we have repeatedly proved beyond reasonable doubt. Denying that it was a generalisation, and it was the decision of two international courts. Its an insult to the victims. Well this is the ceremony. This is part of the prayers taking place, lets pay our reports and listen in. One of the muslim prayers said at the cemetery just outside of srebrenica. This is the 20th anniver
I think we will go out and start. By Ranking Member senator could still be here shortly. I will go and make my Opening Statement and begin testimony. Thank you all for being here this afternoon. I appreciate it. Id like to thank you for your comments last week about what we need to strike. Today marks the first hearing in the Financial Services and general government to committee for the 115 congress. This is also my first hearing in a new role as chairwoman of the subcommittee. As they began the budget request, welcome our witnesses. Fcc chairman and commissioner clyburn and michael are rightly. We look forward to hearing from you all about the budget request and the work you are doing to carry out the agencys mission. Fiscal year 28 team, requesting a total of 322 million. While funding is offset by fees that do not minimize or need to ensure that the agency is operating effectively in the funds are being sent responsibly. This is especially important since these are passed on direct
Testimony. H final we see Committee Chair representative lee hamilton made closing statements regarding his testimony and participation in the iran contra affair. Colonel north, we are just about finished. Do you have any final statement to make . , sir. Ry brief one to thank theke American People who have responded with their good prayers. Upport and i thank them and salute them. That is my statement. Privilege to recognize the chairman of the house select committee. May i express to you my personal appreciation for the matter in which you have recited over these committees presided on this committee in the last several days. You have been firm and fair and kept these proceedings moving along. Colonel north, let me join with others for expressing my appreciation to you for your testimony. Iraq that a president i recognize a president and those carrying out his policies sometimes safe agonizing sometimes to free hostages. Fight communism. To advance the best interest of the nation. Man